Epigenetic abnormalities in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas: frequent inactivation of the RB1/p16 and p53 pathways

Abstract

Our findings indicate that the promoter hypermethylation of cancer-related genes, especially CDH1, is frequently shown in SCCs, and dysregulation of the RB1/p16 and/or p53 pathway through either genetic or epigenetic mechanisms, except for epigenetic abnormalities of p53 itself, should contribute to the carcinogenesis of SCCs.